The Federal Government Return-to-Office Mandate: Implications for Leaders
Our Privacy Policy has been updated! The Conference Board uses cookies to improve our website, enhance your experience, and deliver relevant messages and offers about our products. Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy. For more information on how The Conference Board collects and uses personal data, please visit our privacy policy. By continuing to use this Site or by clicking "OK", you acknowledge our privacy policy and consent to the use of cookies.  Our Privacy Policy has been updated! Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy and our privacy policy. 
TCB Tourch
Loading...
  • logoImage
  •  
    • US
    • EUROPE
    • ASIA

  • 2

    Close
    • Insights
        • Insights
        • Explore by Center
          • Explore by Center

          • CED
            Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Environmental, Social & Governance

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Explore by Content Type
          • Explore by Content Type

          • Reports

          • Webcasts

          • Podcasts

          • Charts & Infographics
        • Trending Topics
          • Trending Topics

          • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

          • Navigating Washington

          • Geopolitics

          • US Economic Forecast

          • Sustainability

          • Future of Work
    • Events
        • Events
        • Upcoming Events
          • Upcoming Events

          • 25th Annual Employee Health Care Conference - New York

          • Corporate Responsibility Awards Dinner

          • 2025 Corporate Responsibility Summit

          • 25th Annual Employee Health Care Conference - San Diego

          • People First: Strategic Transformation

          • People First: Opportunity and Access

          • Explore all Upcoming Events

        • Member-Exclusive Programs
          • Member-Exclusive Programs

          • Center Briefings

          • Experts Live

          • Roundtables

          • Working Groups

          • Expert Briefings

    • Data
        • Data

        • Consumer Confidence Index

        • Data Central

        • TCB Benchmarking

        • Employment Trends Index

        • Global Economic Outlook

        • Leading Economic Indicators

        • Help Wanted OnLine

        • Labor Markets

        • Measure of CEO Confidence

        • Human Capital Benchmarking &
          Data Analytics

        • CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard

    • Centers
        • Centers
        • Our Centers
          • Our Centers

          • Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Environmental, Social & Governance

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Center Membership
          • Center Membership

          • What Is a Center?

          • Benefits of Center Membership

          • Join a Center

    • Councils
        • Councils
        • Find a Council
          • Find a Council

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Environmental, Social & Governance

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Council Membership
          • Council Membership

          • What is a Council?

          • Benefits of Council Membership

          • Apply to a Council

    • Membership
        • Membership
        • Why Become a Member?
          • Why Become a Member?

          • Benefits of Membership

          • Check if Your Organization is a Member

          • Speak to a Membership Associate
        • Types of Membership
          • Types of Membership

          • Council

          • Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Environmental, Social & Governance

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications

          • Insights

        • Already a Member?
          • Already a Member?

          • Sign In to myTCB®

          • Executive Communities

          • Member-Exclusive Programs

    • About Us
        • About Us
        • Who We Are
          • Who We Are

          • About Us

          • In the News

          • Press Releases

          • Our History

          • Support Our Work

          • Locations

          • Contact Us

        • Our Community
          • Our Community

          • Our Leadership

          • Our Experts

          • Trustees

          • Voting Members

          • Global Counsellors

          • Careers

          • This Week @ TCB

    • Careers
    • This Week @ TCB
    • Sign In to myTCB®
      • US
      • EUROPE
      • ASIA
    • Insights
      • Insights
      • Explore by Center
        • Explore by Center

        • CED
          Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Environmental, Social & Governance

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

      • Explore by Content Type
        • Explore by Content Type

        • Reports

        • Webcasts

        • Podcasts

        • Charts & Infographics

      • Trending Topics
        • Trending Topics

        • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

        • Navigating Washington

        • Geopolitics

        • US Economic Forecast

        • Sustainability

        • Future of Work

    • Events
      • Events
      • Upcoming Events
        • Upcoming Events

        • 25th Annual Employee Health Care Conference - New York

        • Corporate Responsibility Awards Dinner

        • 2025 Corporate Responsibility Summit

        • 25th Annual Employee Health Care Conference - San Diego

        • People First: Strategic Transformation

        • People First: Opportunity and Access

        • Explore all Upcoming Events

      • Member-Exclusive Programs
        • Member-Exclusive Programs

        • Center Briefings

        • Experts Live

        • Roundtables

        • Working Groups

        • Expert Briefings

    • Data
      • Data

      • Consumer Confidence Index

      • Data Central

      • TCB Benchmarking

      • Employment Trends Index

      • Global Economic Outlook

      • Leading Economic Indicators

      • Help Wanted OnLine

      • Labor Markets

      • Measure of CEO Confidence

      • Human Capital Benchmarking & Data Analytics

      • CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard
    • Centers
      • Centers
      • Our Centers
        • Our Centers

        • Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Environmental, Social & Governance

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

      • Center Membership
        • Center Membership

        • What is a Center?

        • Benefits of Center Membership

        • Join a Center

    • Councils
      • Councils
      • Find a Council
        • Find a Council

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Environmental, Social & Governance

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications
      • Council Membership
        • Council Membership

        • What is a Council?

        • Benefits of Council Membership

        • Apply to a Council

    • Membership
      • Membership
      • Why Become a Member?
        • Why Become a Member?

        • Benefits of Membership

        • Check if Your Organization is a Member

        • Speak to a Membership Associate

      • Types of Membership
        • Types of Membership

        • Council

        • Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Environmental, Social & Governance

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

        • Insights

      • Already a Member?
        • Already a Member?

        • Sign In to myTCB®

        • Executive Communities

        • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Who We Are
        • Who We Are

        • About Us

        • In the News

        • Press Releases

        • This Week @ TCB

        • Our History

        • Support Our Work

        • Locations

        • Contact Us

      • Our Community
        • Our Community

        • Our Leadership

        • Our Experts

        • Trustees

        • Voting Members

        • Global Counsellors

        • Careers

        • This Week @ TCB

    • Careers
    • Sign In to myTCB®
    • Download TCB Insights App
  • Insights
    Insights

    Our research and analysis have helped the world's leading companies navigate challenges and seize opportunities for over 100 years.

    Explore All Research

    Economic Indicators

    • Explore by Center
    • CED
      Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Environmental, Social & Governance
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    • Explore by Content Type
    • Reports
    • Webcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Charts & Infographics
    • Trending Topics
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Navigating Washington
    • Geopolitics
    • US Economic Forecast
    • Sustainability
    • Future of Work
  • Events
    Events

    Our in-person and virtual events offer unmatched opportunities for professional development, featuring top experts and practitioners.

    See Everything Happening This Week

    Sponsor a Program

    • Upcoming Events

      • 25th Annual Employee Health Care Conference - New York

      April 08 - 09, 2025

      Corporate Responsibility Awards Dinner

      April 23, 2025

      2025 Corporate Responsibility Summit

      April 24 - 25, 2025

    •  

      • 25th Annual Employee Health Care Conference - San Diego

      May 01 - 02, 2025

      People First: Strategic Transformation

      May 15 - 16, 2025

      People First: Opportunity and Access

      June 12 - 13, 2025

    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Center Briefings
    • Experts Live
    • Roundtables
    • Working Groups
    • Expert Briefings
    • Explore by Type
    • Events
    • Webcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Center Briefings
    • Experts Live
    • Roundtables
    • Working Groups
    • Expert Briefings
  • Data
    Corporate Disclosure Data

    TCB Benchmarking

    Real-time data & analytical tools to benchmark your governance, compensation, environmental, human capital management (HCM) and social practices against US public companies.

    Economic Data

    Consumer Confidence Index

    US consumers' thoughts on the economy, jobs, finances and more

    Data Central

    One-stop, member-exclusive portal for the entire suite of indicators

    Labor Markets

    Covering all aspects of labor markets, from monthly development to long-term trends

    Measure of CEO Confidence

    Examines the health of the US economy from the perspective of CEOs

     

    Employment Trends Index

    Monthly, forward-looking composite of eight proven labor-market indicators

    Global Economic Outlook

    Track the latest short-, medium-, and long-term growth outlooks for 77 economies

    Leading Economic Indicators

    Track the state of the business cycle for 12 global economies across Asia and Europe

    Help Wanted OnLine

    Track the status of job markets across the US through online job listings

    Other Featured Data

    Human Capital Analytics Tools

    Tools to understand human capital management and corporate performance

    CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard

    Tracks the impact, resources, and satisfaction of CMOs and CCOs

  • Centers
    Centers

    Centers offer access to world-class experts, research, events, and senior executive communities.

    Our Centers
    • Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Environmental, Social & Governance
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    Center Membership
    • What Is a Center?
    • Benefits of Center Membership
    • Join a Center
  • Councils
    Councils

    Councils are invitation-only, peer-led communities of senior executives that come together to exchange knowledge, accelerate career development, and advance their function.

    Find a Council
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Environmental, Social & Governance
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    Council Membership
    • What Is a Council?
    • Benefits of Council Membership
    • Apply to a Council
  • Membership
    Membership

    Membership in The Conference Board arms your team with an arsenal of knowledge, networks, and expertise that's unmatched in scope and depth.

    • Why Become a Member?
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Check if Your Organization is a Member
    • Speak to a Membership Associate
    • Types of Membership
    • Council
    • Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Environmental, Social & Governance
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    • Insights
    • Already a Member?
    • Sign in to myTCB®
    • Executive Communities
    • Member-Exclusive Programs
  • About Us
    About Us

    The Conference Board is the global, nonprofit think tank and business membership organization that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead®. For over 100 years, our cutting-edge research, data, events and executive networks have helped the world's leading companies understand the present and shape the future.

    Learn more about Membership

    • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • In the News
    • Press Releases
    • Our History
    • Support Our Work
    • Locations
    • Contact Us
    • Our Community
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Experts
    • Trustees
    • Voting Members
    • Careers
    • This Week @ TCB
Check if You're a Member
Create Account
Forgot Your Password?

Members of The Conference Board get exclusive access to the full range of products and services that deliver Trusted Insights for What's Ahead ® including webcasts, publications, data and analysis, plus discounts to conferences and events.

Navigating Washington: Insights for Business

The Federal Government Return-to-Office Mandate: Implications for Leaders

20 March 2025 / Essay

Download Essay
  • Email
  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Copy Link

On January 20, 2025, the new federal government administration issued an executive order requiring federal government employees to come back into the office five days a week, with few exceptions. This return-to-office (RTO) mandate not only significantly impacts many federal workers but will also have repercussions for workers in the private sector. Leaders in both sectors can take some specific actions to help their workers and their organizations navigate the mandate and its ripple effects. 

On January 20, 2025, the new federal government administration issued an executive order requiring federal government employees to come back into the office five days a week, with few exceptions. This return-to-office (RTO) mandate not only significantly impacts many federal workers but will also have repercussions for workers in the private sector. Leaders in both sectors can take some specific actions to help their workers and their organizations navigate the mandate and its ripple effects. 

Authors

Robin Erickson, PhD

Robin Erickson, PhD Robin Erickson, PhD

Head of Human Capital Research
The Conference Board

Read Bio

Barbara J. Lombardo, PhD

Barbara J. Lombardo, PhD Barbara J. Lombardo, PhD

Distinguished Principal Research Fellow, Human Cap…
The Conference Board

Read Bio

This publication is available to you, but you need to sign in to myTCB® or create an account to access it.To learn more about becoming a Member click here. To check if your company is a Member, click here
  • Sign In
  • Create An Account

Forgot Password?

 

Keep my computer signed in



 

By Clicking 'Create Account',
You Agree To Our Terms Of Use

Create Account  

Members of The Conference Board get exclusive access to Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead® through publications, Conferences and events, webcasts, podcasts, data & analysis, and Member Communities.

Great News!

You already have an account with The Conference Board.

Please try to login in with your email or click here if you have forgotten your password.

Other Related Resources

Newsletters & Alerts

Policy Alert: OCR Investigates Universities for Alleged Race-based Practices

Policy Alert: OCR Investigates Universities for Alleged Race-based Practices

March 20, 2025

Additional Resources

Presidential Actions

Presidential Actions

March 19, 2025

Newsletters & Alerts

Policy Alert: Firing Democratic FTC Commissioners

Policy Alert: Firing Democratic FTC Commissioners

March 19, 2025

Additional Resources

Federal Budget Tracker

Federal Budget Tracker

March 17, 2025

Report

Sustainability Without the SDGs: US Policy Shifts and Corporate ESG

Sustainability Without the SDGs: US Policy Shifts and Corporate ESG

March 17, 2025

Brief

The EU's Retaliatory Tariffs Will Hit Beef, Bourbon and More

The EU's Retaliatory Tariffs Will Hit Beef, Bourbon and More

March 14, 2025

Article

Inside Another Last-Minute Deal to Fund the US Government

Inside Another Last-Minute Deal to Fund the US Government

March 14, 2025

Article

US-Ukraine Negotiations and Possible Ceasefire

US-Ukraine Negotiations and Possible Ceasefire

March 14, 2025

Article

The US Crypto Reserve and Other Developments

The US Crypto Reserve and Other Developments

March 14, 2025

Report

Understanding and Managing Legal Risk in Corporate DEI

Understanding and Managing Legal Risk in Corporate DEI

March 13, 2025

Article

Employers Are Seen as an Anchor of Stability and Trust in Uncertain Times

Employers Are Seen as an Anchor of Stability and Trust in Uncertain Times

March 13, 2025

Article

The Future of the CHIPS and Science Act

The Future of the CHIPS and Science Act

March 13, 2025

Additional Resources

Tariff Tracker

Tariff Tracker

March 12, 2025

Newsletters & Alerts

Policy Alert: Revising the GRAS Designation for Food

Policy Alert: Revising the GRAS Designation for Food

March 12, 2025

Newsletters & Alerts

Policy Alert: US Department of Education Staff Cut by Nearly Half

Policy Alert: US Department of Education Staff Cut by Nearly Half

March 12, 2025

Newsletters & Alerts

Policy Alert: Revising Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness

Policy Alert: Revising Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness

March 11, 2025

Newsletters & Alerts

Policy Alert: USDA Terminates Two Food Safety Advisory Committees

Policy Alert: USDA Terminates Two Food Safety Advisory Committees

March 11, 2025

Article

Immigration Curbs Could Squeeze the Tight Labor Market

Immigration Curbs Could Squeeze the Tight Labor Market

March 11, 2025

Brief

One Common Language

One Common Language

March 10, 2025

Brief

Replacing EB-5 Visas with “Gold Cards”: Impact on CRE Market

Replacing EB-5 Visas with “Gold Cards”: Impact on CRE Market

March 07, 2025

Article

Three Years of War in Ukraine – and an Extraordinary Week

Three Years of War in Ukraine – and an Extraordinary Week

March 07, 2025

Newsletters & Alerts


 Policy Alert: OCR Investigates Universities for Alleged Race-based Practices

Policy Alert: OCR Investigates Universities for Alleged Race-based Practices

March 20, 2025

Additional Resources


 Presidential Actions

Presidential Actions

March 19, 2025

Newsletters & Alerts


 Policy Alert: Firing Democratic FTC Commissioners

Policy Alert: Firing Democratic FTC Commissioners

March 19, 2025

On Demand Webcasts

Financial Services: What Next from the New Administration?

Financial Services: What Next from the New Administration?

March 20, 2025

On Demand Webcasts

US Economic Volatility in 2025

US Economic Volatility in 2025

February 12, 2025

On Demand Webcasts

America in Perspective: The First 100 Days

America in Perspective: The First 100 Days

January 23, 2025

On Demand Webcasts

C-Suite Outlook 2025 & Trump’s Day 1

C-Suite Outlook 2025 & Trump’s Day 1

January 22, 2025

On Demand Webcasts

Reshaping the Workforce Under the New US Administration

Reshaping the Workforce Under the New US Administration

January 09, 2025

On Demand Webcasts


 Financial Services: What Next from the New Administration?

Financial Services: What Next from the New Administration?

March 20, 2025

On Demand Webcasts


 US Economic Volatility in 2025

US Economic Volatility in 2025

February 12, 2025

On Demand Webcasts


 America in Perspective: The First 100 Days

America in Perspective: The First 100 Days

January 23, 2025

Conference Board Sample Web Chat
chatbot-Icon TCB Logo
chatbot-Icon
C-Suite Insights Newsletter - Subscribe to the must-read weekly newsletter for C-suite executives from The Conference Board
ABOUT US
  • Who We Are
  • Annual Report
  • Our History
  • Our Experts
  • Our Leadership
  • In the News
  • Press Releases
MEMBERSHIP
  • Become a Member
  • Sign In to myTCB®
  • Access Experts
  • Member-Only Events
  • Data & Benchmarking
  • Manage Account
EXPLORE
  • Centers
  • Councils
  • Latest Research
  • Events
  • Webcasts
  • Podcasts
  • This Week @ TCB
CONTACT US
  • Americas
    +1 212 759 0900
    customer.service@tcb.org
  • Europe/Africa/Middle East
    +32 2 675 5405
    brussels@tcb.org
  • Asia
    Hong Kong | +852 2804 1000
    Singapore | +65 8298 3403
    service.ap@tcb.org
CAREERS
  • See Open Positions
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct | Trademarks
© 2025 The Conference Board Inc. All rights reserved. The Conference Board and torch logo are registered trademarks of The Conference Board.
The use of all The Conference Board data and materials is subject to the Terms of Use. Reprint requests are reviewed individually and may be subject to additional fees.The Conference Board reserves the right to deny any request.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct | Trademarks
© 2025 The Conference Board Inc. All rights reserved. The Conference Board and torch logo are registered trademarks of The Conference Board.
The use of all data from The Conference Board data and materials is subject to the Terms of Use. Reprint requests are reviewed individually and may be subject to additional fees.The Conference Board reserves the right to deny any request.

Thank you for signing up. You will now receive CEO Insights for What's Ahead every Wednesday morning. You can unsubscribe at any time or manage your preferences to receive more content from The Conference Board.

Announcing The Conference Board AI Virtual Conference Series

Explore the Impact of AI on Your Business

Members receive complimentary registration - Learn more >>